Donskoi was on the ice in a non-contact jersey prior to Thursday’s practice but did not stay on for the team session. That suggests that Lukas Radil will remain in the Sharks lineup and Donskoi will sit for the second straight game.
Pavelski, who was hurt in Game 7 vs. the Golden Knights, is expected to miss Game 1 vs. the Avalanche with what is believed to be a concussion. When asked if Pavelski had a concussion, head coach Pete DeBoer said: “I’m not going to get into specifics. I just told you he’s feeling the effects of it. You guys can put two and two together, I think.” Gustav Nyquist is expected to move up to the top line and Timo Meier is expected to be on the top power-play while Pavelski is out.
Lehner stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Islanders 3-1 win in Pittsburgh to complete the sweep in Game 4. The Islanders have been off for 10 days but will resume action on Friday vs. a Hurricanes team that went to seven games vs. Washington. Lehner was the best goalie in the first round, stopping 130 of the 136 shots (.956 SV%) that he faced. He did not face the Hurricanes once this season.
Nutivaara was hurt in Game 2 in Tampa Bay and will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury. Adam Clendening will remain in the Blue Jackets lineup while Nutivaara and Ryan Murray are out.
Kuhlman shuffled in and out of the Bruins lineup vs. Toronto and was held to one assist and seven shots in five appearances in the series. Kuhlman will be replaced by Chris Wagner in Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Wagner has been a healthy scratch since Game 5 vs. Toronto but will replace Karson Kuhlman in Game 1 vs. Columbus. Wagner, who is an effective fourth liner, had no points and just five shots in five games against the Maple Leafs.
Clifton has been a healthy scratch since Game 2 vs. Toronto, but will replace John Moore, who is out with an upper-body injury. Clifton had just one shot while averaging 12:14 TOI/gm through two games vs. Toronto.
Moore is still battling an upper-body injury and will not play in Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets. Moore, who is day-to-day, will be replace by Connor Clifton on Thursday.
Ferland remains sidelined by an upper-body injury that he suffered in Game 2 and forced him out of Game 3 as well. Luckily for the Hurricanes, they got Jordan Martinook back in Game 6 and could get Andrei Svechnikov back on Wednesday.
Svechnikov has been in concussion protocol since being knocked out by Alex Ovechkin in Game 3. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour did not have much of an update on Svechnikov’s status ahead of Game 7, but it seems like there’s a chance that he plays.
Holtby allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Capitals 5-2 loss in Carolina in Game 6. The Capitals have not been able to win in Carolina in this series, but are 3-0 on home-ice, where Holtby has stopped 82 of the 87 shots (.943 SV%) that he has faced. Holtby has gone 3-4 with a 1.81 GAA, .934 SV% and one shutout in seven career Game 7 starts.
